Philadelphia 76ers: 3 big questions heading into 2018-19 NBA season

2. How will Ben Simmons build off his rookie season?

Ben Simmons looked very comfortable running the Philadelphia 76ers’ offense during his rookie season. He put up 15.8 points, 8.2 assists, 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game on his way to winning the 2018 Rookie of the Year award. Some would argue he wasn’t a true rookie in that regard, but the truth remains: He was successful in running an NBA offense with no experience prior.

Simmons took a lot of criticism for his lack of 3-point shooting, but can you blame him? As their primary facilitator, he had J.J. Redick, Robert Covington and Dario Saric to rely on in that regard. They each averaged at least two made 3-pointers during the regular season in 2017-18.

In the postseason, the Celtics collapsed the paint and dared Simmons to shoot the ball, and that plan worked. He produced just 14.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game in that series after putting up 18.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 2.4 steals per game in the first round against the Miami Heat.

Simmons attempted just 11 3-pointers during the regular season. It shouldn’t be a cause for concern when you look at similar guys who came before him, like Jason Kidd. Kidd wasn’t the greatest shooter in the NBA as a rookie in 1994-95 either, but he still won Rookie of the Year. He shot 38.5 percent from the floor and 27.2 percent (70-for-257) from 3-point range.

Granted, his attempts and makes blow Simmons’ out the water, but again, consider the other 3-point shooters around him. Simmons put up 12 triple-doubles as a rookie. Kidd put up just two triple-doubles as a rookie. That’s not to say Simmons doesn’t need to shoot 3-pointers at some point though, because eventually, he’s going to have to build the confidence to knock down 3s.